Beer Fest and Balloon Lift and Glow!
With a whole lot of fun activities in the Castle Rock area this Labor Day weekend, you’ve got a wide range of choices about how to celebrate the end of summer! One of the most magical is the annual Balloon Lift and Glow festival in Colorado Springs—a FREE three-day event with music, food, activities, and the spectacular sight of over 70 hot-air balloons in the sky! The entire family will enjoy this uplifting sight!
TODAY/TONIGHT, August 29
HARRY POTTER TRIVIA NIGHT
Kids aren’t the only ones who love Harry Potter! This fun trivia night is set up for teams of Harry Potter fans who are 21 and older to compete for the House Cup (free beer). Find your port keys and test your knowledge of the boy who lived and adventured at Hogwarts. Come dressed in your house colors and compete against the first 40 teams to RSVP. The Woodhill Small Batch BBQ food truck will be on hand for some delicious bites!
Lone Tree Brewing Company, 8222 Park Meadows Dr., Lone Tree
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Register: FREE
Thursday-Sunday, August 29-September 1
AUSSIE HUMOR WITH MONTY FRANKLIN
If you haven’t yet heard of Australian comedian Monty Franklin, that’s about to change! Franklin’s unique brand of humor is already widely popular in Australia, where he’s a TV star on sitcoms No Monkeys on Bikes and The Manny. He’s also headlined all over the world with his hilarious stand-up show.
In the U.S., Franklin has appeared on FOX’s New Girl, Hulu’s Becoming Bond and Hollywood Darlings. He also appears in Rob Schneider’s Netflix series Real Rob, and will soon make his feature film debut, which he co-wrote with Schneider.
Comedy Works-South, 5345 Landmark Place, Greenwood Village
Thurs., 7:30 p.m.; Fri./Sat., 7:15 p.m. & 9:45 p.m.; Sun., 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $16-$24
Phone: 720-274-6800
Friday, August 30
STRETCH AND CORE
This is the final class in the FREE Summer Fitness Series! Learn a great routine to carry into fall that targets your core and gives you a super overall stretch. Join your friends and neighbors in the park to enjoy a late-summer fitness class that will inspire you keep stretching, even as summer fades away.
Amphitheater at Philip S. Miller Park, 1375 W. Plum Creek Pkwy., Castle Rock
8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
Tickets: FREE
Saturday-Monday, August 31 – September 2
LIFT OFF AND GLOW BALLOON FESTIVAL
Looking for an uplifting way to spend your Labor Day weekend? You can’t beat the three-day hot air festival at Memorial Park in Colorado Springs! This family-friendly event is a wonderful FREE way to spend the final days of summer outdoors, enjoying the spectacle of over 70 colorful hot air balloons!
Morning events start with an opening ceremony every morning at 6:30, balloon lift-offs at 7:00, and fun activities including skydive jumpers, donut eating championships, and paddle board rentals and yoga on Prospect Lake! Afternoon events include games, tether rides, and live music from Suga Bear & The Showtime Band! The most stunning spectacle of the day may be at 7:00 p.m., the evening “glow,” when all of the balloons radiate with light. Other evening events include a concert with The Martini Shot.
Memorial Park, 1705 E. Pikes Peak Ave., Colorado Springs
Sat./Sun., 6:30 – 10:00 a.m. and 3:30 – 10:00 p.m.; Mon., 6:30 – 10:00 a.m.
Cost: FREE
Phone: 719-634-7333
Saturday, August 31
FAST CARS AND FREEDOM SHOWCASE
“A mile of highway will take you just one mile…but a mile of runway will take you anywhere!” (Blue Sky Gallery). If you feel the need for speed, you must come out to the Boeing Blue Sky Aviation Gallery for a fascinating look at the world of fast cars and even FASTER aircraft.
Get an up-close look at over 50 Ford Mustangs of varying vintages, a P-51 Mustang, and an SNJ (T-6). In addition to your admission to all of the regular exhibits at the gallery, you’ll get to see corporate jets up close and personal, climb inside, and even talk to the pilots that make them soar!
Blue Sky Aviation Gallery, 13005 Wings Way, Englewood
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Tickets: $5-$15
Phone: 303-360-5360 ext. 164
KIDS’ PLANNING SEMINAR
Parents, do you know what would happen to your children if something happened to you? Would they have immediate access to your assets? The subject may be sobering, but this seminar will make it as pleasant as possible, with snacks and childcare provided for FREE.
You’ll learn about protecting your kids in the event something happens to you, including nine steps to ensure your kids are raised the way you want, a 3-step process for choosing the right person to care for your kids in your absence, common planning mistakes to avoid, and how failing to plan can cost your family hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The Trails Recreation Center, 16799 E. Lake Ave., Centennial
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Registration: FREE
BREWS AND VIEWS
A brew festival with views as exceptional as the beer! You’ll enjoy craft beers from the best Colorado breweries and fine dining from the best Colorado food trucks, while soaking in the gorgeous views from Hudson Gardens! Enjoy live music, yard games, and more! There are four different ticket levels available for purchase, including a VIP experience.
Hudson Gardens, 6115 S. Santa Fe Dr., Littleton
1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Tickets: $25-$55
TRAVEL SAVVY LECTURE
Travel in style at a fraction of the cost! This informative lecture is a must for anyone who wants to see the world and stay at the best places without breaking the bank! Travel columnist, author, and photographer Ron Stern will discuss how to obtain great deals on airfare, accommodations, cruises, and entertainment, plus ideas for creative lodging, all for a fraction of the usual cost.
Parker Library, 20105 E. Mainstreet, Parker
2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
Registration: FREE
Phone: 303-791-7323
BEER FEST UNDER THE STARS
Celebrate the end of the summer at a party under the stars, sampling local craft brews and some amazing local food. Included in your ticket price are samples from a wide variety of Colorado craft breweries, live music in the awesome amphitheater, and hors d’oeuvres from local chefs!
The setting couldn’t be more perfect—around a beautiful pond, with the crackling of fire at the stunning Millhouse in Castle Rock! Live music is by some of Denver’s favorites—the Cari Dell Trio, Ryan Chris & The Rough Cuts, and Kerry Pastine & The Crime Scene!
The Amphitheater at Philip S. Miller Park, 1375 W. Plum Creek Pkwy., Castle Rock
4:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Tickets: $30 – $65
ELK BUGLING HIKE
One of the most mysterious and awe-inspiring sounds in nature is an elk bugling. Do you remember the first time you heard this other-worldly sound? Treat your kids to the experience on this backcountry hike at the 13-square-mile conservation property in Highlands Ranch!
The Backcountry Wilderness area is teeming with wildlife, and you can experience it with seasoned naturalists as you explore parts of the property otherwise not accessible to the public.
Backcountry Wilderness Area, Grigs Pavilion, 6005 Ron King Trail, Highlands Ranch
6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $6-$10
Sunday, September 1
MOVIN’ & GROOVIN’ SUBMISSIONS DUE TODAY!
Do you have an awesome summer adventure you want to share with the world? Then enter the Movin’ & Groovin’ Summer Adventures Video Challenge and your video could be chosen to appear at a screening event in September!
Just create a short video (up to 2 minutes) that celebrates summer adventures and make sure it’s suitable for all audiences (G-rated). Check out all the the rules here, but don’t forget the most important rule of all: show how much fun your summer was!
Parker Library, 20105 E. Mainstreet, Parker
5:00 p.m. submission deadline
Registration: FREE
Phone: 303-791-7323
Monday, September 2
LABOR DAY HALF MARATHON
Run for fun or run to win at the Labor Day Half Marathon! You can choose between a challenging half-marathon, a 10K or a 5K race—run or walk—it’s all up to you!
Celebrate the end of summer at Parker’s Salisbury Park, where the race travels along the scenic banks of the Cherry Creek. It’s a flat and fast course that just might propel you to a new personal record! Enjoy your three-day weekend with a race that includes a technical running shirt, finisher’s medals for everyone, chip timing, and great post-race food at the finish!
Salisbury Equestrian Park, 11920 N. Motsenbocker Rd, Parker,
7:00 a.m.
Registration: $50
PADDLE DAYS AT THE RESERVOIR
Summer isn’t really over yet—and Paddle Days at the Rueter-Hess Reservoir proves it! This Labor Day weekend, you can get a sneak peek of the recreational activities on the reservoir before it’s open!
The Town of Castle Rock Parks and Recreation Department invites you to paddle and kayak on the reservoir and get acquainted with this scenic body of water. Bring your family and friends out for a refreshing morning of fun on your own raft, kayak, or paddle board. Don’t forget to register before you head out!
Rueter-Hess Reservoir, Hess Road, one mile east of I-25 at the Castle Pines Parkway exit, Castle Rock
7:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Registration: $10
Phone: 720-733-3569
Labor Day in Crystal Valley!
There’s no shortage of things to do near the master-planned community of Crystal Valley! You can get back to nature and still have easy access to all your favorite activities in the Castle Rock area. With beautiful model homes from D.R. Horton, Century Communities, Kauffman Homes, and Richmond American Homes, it’s easy to picture yourself in your own new home, priced from the $300s.
